Foster Care - Who Me?

BAY COUNTY, FL - Understanding the need for foster parents in Bay County is important. Currently 235 children are in out of home care in our county.

What does that look like?

It could be a child whose parents are struggling with addiction. It could be siblings whose home is being investigated based on a complaint to DCF – Florida Department of Children and Families. Other reasons for foster care placement include abuse, neglect, inadequate housing, abandonment, parent incarceration, drug and alcohol abuse to name a few. It is important to note that all citizens of Florida are mandated reporters.

In Bay County the offices are located in the NWF Health Network on Harrison Ave. The agency oversees foster care in 16 counties. The local office on Harrison Avenue is located in Circuit 14 which includes Bay, Gulf, Calhoun, Washington, Jackson and Holmes Counties. The desire is to have more licensed foster families in all of the counties in Circuit 14, but Bay County has the highest need. First choice for out of home care is a local relative to take them in. Second choice, someone who has a relationship with the child like a teacher, coach or neighbor. The third choice is traditional foster care with a stranger but licensed in foster care.

In interviewing Cathy Harcus, Recruitment & Retention Manager in NWF Health Network, it seems the work is never done. Cathy initially worked as Foster Parent with her husband for 18 years serving 57 children. They ranged from 1 day of care to a lifetime when they adopted two. Their specialty was working with teens. She said, “It is the best, worst thing you could do. The joys outweigh the hardships .” She wants people to understand it is hard but worthwhile! Caregivers are bringing strangers into their home along with an entourage of public servants who assist care for the children. Also, many children come with their own baggage and scars. But again, it is rewarding to know you are making a difference in their lives and showing the children a stable home life.

With her experience she saw she could do more by working in the system. One of Cathy’s roles is to recruit foster parents. Foster parents must be at least 21 years old and can be married or single. They can also be retired. They try to keep the children they serve in Bay County and as close to their siblings and their school as possible but it is not a requirement. The largest population needing a foster family is elementary age and under.

So how do you become a foster parent? You start by taking a short series of classes where Cathy is one of the teachers. These classes are for both future foster families and future adoptive parents. These 7 consecutive classes are taught as hybrid classes where some are taught in person and some are via Zoom. These classes make you eligible for 5 years.

See the schedule of upcoming classes below:

February 20 - March 26

April 8 – May 20

May 28 - July 9

July 15 – August 26

September 5 – October 7

October 22 – December 10 (skip Thanksgiving week)

To sign up for class please call Debra Walters at 850-739-9634 or email her at debra.walters@nwfhealth.org. Ideally, the agency would like for children to have a choice of the home they are to go but the numbers don’t allow for that currently.

So maybe you are thinking you are not a candidate for fostering but you would like to do something. Yes, there are opportunities for you to assist. There is a Facebook page specifically for people like you. Search ‘NWF VIP’ or scan the QR Code provided. You will need to answer a few questions before being approved to join the page. There may be places to donate your time, your talents or your money. If you have something like a bed or dresser to donate please call Cathy (number below), and she will post it on her private page for foster parents to see if it is needed by anyone. They do not have space to store items you may want to donate. Also, they cannot accept used luggage but would love to have new luggage donated for these children.

Lastly, don’t forget your church, your club or social group can ask for someone from this office to come speak and answer your questions about foster care. You can reach Cathy Harcus at her office: 850-819-7902 or email her at Cathy.harcus@nwfhealth.org